Hi, I've mentioned in other threads that I don't want to claim victory from the roof tops yet. There is still much fear for me that it won't work, even tho the evidence is surely there. I think due to trying so many options, & crying out to God for a solution & some relief to this devastating condition. Okay, I will do the best I can to document my progress.
About 20yrs. ago, I was a daily drinker. 1-2 bottles of wine per evening or afternoon til evening. Sometimes going out half lit to buy more. I switched for a while to martini's with the girls. That continued at home. Then went to vodka, as many as it took to put out the lights. I am a relatively small person so it didn't take much. Never cared for beer but of course, if it was the only thing in the house I drank it.
Don't know units, even tho you've posted it many times. I only know I drank a LOT. Now I binge. However, since 6-11-2010, that has been greatly diminished. I did have the "honeymoon" period but my "units" of AL never really did spike. Just the fact that I now am able to go out for a "few" & not stop for more is HUGE. Not saying I still don't, just not as often at all. Do still think about it which is why I fear screaming any kind of off switching as yet. There's nothing I can tell ANY of you about how horrible & guilt-ridden this beast is once it has it's hooks in you. So, I know change is taking place for the better. It has only been a few short mos.. Like I mentioned, I believe I've made great strides with this method. Do not let myself overthink. Just take pill when needed. When Husband went to work on night shift before, I saw that as my "window of opportunity". Haven't done that once since NAL. Only snag to that is when he works a day shift & we go out to dinner. I have associated the drinking with being able to talk to him after many days & nites of not seeing each other.
So I have concluded that progress is being made, & it is happening for me pretty quickly. Just not Blowing the Big Horn" yet.

Thank you ALL for the information & inspiration & the stamina to stay in the game for good.
JANE

this is great news. wise of you not to call it yet I think. Those triggers like drinking at dinner with your husband should extinct themselves in time. looks like you are a textbook case from here

Today, I stopped off at the market where they sell wine & beer. I looked down the isle & said no I won't. And I didn't. However, after dinner at our local watering-hole, there's a pkg. store directly across the street. I tried to resist but after 2 Rum & Diets I wanted more. Went in to get a Bacardi. Clerk hands me a Pt.. I said "no thank you, just a half. Kinda proud a that one. Next Thurs. will be a major testing. Leaving for Vegas for 5 days, then on to Tampa. I have this picture in my head of Nicholas Cage in the movie"Leaving Las Vegas" where he goes to drink himself to death. OMG!!! OMG!!!

One of the things I've noticed, and that gives me a little more hope, is that it's easier now to just have a few drinks while out on the town and not stop on the way home for more. Time was (not too long ago) when I'd inevitably get a sixer and down the whole thing after already having a few at a restaurant or bar. It's not that the urge has gone away, but it's easier to resist. I'm about three months in now, and definitely noticing that I'm not thinking about alcohol as much. Sounds like you're making great progress as well.

You're exactly right Weirdo! It has become easier, but I do slip up just not as much. When I told the clerk at the pkg. store no not the pint, the half please, I was shocked at the words that came from my very mouth. I also get waay drunker on a lot less now. My Husband, Rick even noticed it. He will always remind me what a "pain-in-the-ass" I can be. Duh?? He drinks beer, but has always had everything under control. You know, one of the "perfectionists"? They can be very difficult to live with & intollerable of the short-comings of others. I don't talk to him about tsm. I keep it to myself. If I even "think" there's a chance of a drink nite, the pill goes down no matter what. Better to keep some things quiet. You can usually tell who will understand & who will not. They will most likely be the ones with a drinking problem themselves, but refuse any help that may be new to them. I've been relatively quiet on the board. I do want to encourage others tho. It has not been a picnic here either just going with the flow.
Thanks for good wishes it helps a lot.
JANE

Well, tomorrow will probably be an evening at the "local". I am already stressing about it. Still have trouble with the fear of stopping to get more. Especially since it doesn't take much for me to get hammered these days from the effects of Nal. I think the stressing is just not trusting myself. In fact I know it is. Don't think as much about it like before but when confronted with the AL, I usually become weak & cave.

Jane I deffinately relate to your fear..With me it is about not trusting this method..Last night I was out of town on buisness,alone..In the past this would have turned into a real mess,enough said..It ended up being 5 beers and asleep by 8:30..Didn't even finnish my six pack..I guess what I'm saying is,it worked..I should be day 2 in ths middle of a bender right now..Instead,Im home watching TV with my kids..Hang in there and good luck at the local..Im sure if u take your nal it will turn out fine....Goodman

Did okay tonight. only 2. Didn't stop for more. Like Spinedoc says, I too get too drunk too fast these days. Hangovers & guilt-trips are a bitch!
Sorry Joe if I posted in error. Still stupid with technical stuff. Some things may "never" change.
Going to Vegas Thurs. (sin city) then Florida. I scare myself shitless sometimes just worrying. I want to have a good time but not like previous visits. Alcohol flows waay too freely there. But it is a fun place to see. Will probably fret til I get back here. (sigh)

Jane,

I totally know your fear. My husband leaves for a business trip tomorrow which is my big trigger. I'm not sure I can be trusted but i so badly want this to work that I'm just trying to push forward. 2 drinks - YAYY. Maybe you'll surprise yourself in Vegas!! BTDT

Hi BTDT, I say it is one huge fright. My husband works 12hr. shifts both rotating days & nights. Nights are a bitch. I am getting better tho. A while back, he would come home after 6PM 7 I would be ****-faced, he got sooo pissed! I haven't done that in a long time. But when he does a 12hr nite sahift, 6AM - 6PM, boy, sometimes! I try to keep busy. Hard sometimes ya know? Well, when your husband goes away you can talk to me. I'll be here til Wed, & back Oct. 13. Thanks for responding
JANE